Summerland Solar + Storage Project – Contaminated Site Assessment and Geotechnical Investigation

The District of Summerland is undertaking a series of studies to evaluate the viability of installing a one-megawatt solar array and two-megawatt battery storage system on a brownfield site that was previously used as a works yard and storage area. The studies will include a phase II preliminary site investigation, remedial action and risk management plans, and a geotechnical investigation to confirm that the site conditions are appropriate for installing solar panels. Once complete, a detailed site redevelopment plan will be presented. Summerland is located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and is home to approximately 11,000 residents. It is one of five municipalities in British Columbia to own its own electrical utility, which provides flexibility in energy procurement. While it currently purchases power wholesale from FortisBC, Summerland wishes to become a leader in renewable energy use. There are numerous community benefits associated with generating solar power locally, including supporting the climate action objectives outlined in the Official Community Plan, reducing line-loss inefficiencies, enhancing the local economy, increasing energy security, and attracting new residents and visitors. The addition of battery storage to the system can help to extend the life of existing equipment by increasing system stability during peak-demand periods. By selecting a brownfield as the installation site, this project offers additional community benefits, such as putting an unused parcel of land back into productive use, addressing outstanding issues of on-site debris and suspected contamination, not having to use a greenfield site, and the potential to create recreational trails in the area. Innovative aspect(s): The proposed initiative is considered highly innovative for a small municipality and a municipally owned utility. Replicability: Municipal electrical utilities in British Columbia and across Canada will be able to apply the lessons learned from this study when considering sourcing a portion of their energy needs from a solar array, pairing renewable energy with a battery storage system and/or selecting a brownfield as a site for renewable energy generation. (Project description from original funding application)